Defender to snub Manchester United move to stay in Serie A

The Moroccan international only moved to the Stadio Olimpico last summer in a move believed to be worth around €13.5m, but interest from United and Barcelona has led the Italian side to offer Benatia a new deal already, less than a year since arriving from Udinese.

Under Rudi Garcia, Roma have conceded just 12 goals in Serie A this season - by far the best defensive record in the league - and Benatia, 26, has been a big reason for that, offering consistently excellent performances throughout the season, which has triggered the interest in the French-born defender.

Whilst he's proven himself to be an adept defender, Benatia has also shown that he can get on the scoresheet this season, using his height and aerial ability to get into the box, notching five goals this season as a result.

United boss David Moyes has been repeatedly linked with a move for the former Clermont Foot man, with experienced duo Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand poised to leave the club this summer, with Serbian Vidic already agreeing to join Serie A side Inter Milan at the end of the season.

But he will be left disappointed by news that Benatia will choose to extend his stay at Roma rather than seek a move away this summer. There has been no word on how long the proposed contract will keep Benatia in the Italian capital for, but it's expected to hand him a considerable pay rise in order to ward off the vultures that have been circling the club of late.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.